A Great way to Travel and see Argentina!

Ever wonder if the ball spins different south of the equator?  Now is your chance to find out and see the other American Continent.  The bottom half of the world is active, thriving and yes, they do play baseball in Argentina.  This is an opportunity to travel to So. American in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina for our own tournament with local teams from the Argentina Amateur Baseball Associations.  Though soccer is king, they do have baseball leagues and fields and are anxious to expand their horizons and play with other foreign teams like us.

This is a custom designed trip for baseball players.  It's the only one of it's kind so far to provide a baseball vacation in Argentina.    In addition, you'll have many opportunities to interact with Argentine Nationals. Baseball is a relatively new medium between our cultures, even if you don't speak Spanish you'll be able to interact with the locals as many do speak English.  We'll eat at some great restaurants, be entertained by a full time agenda, see some great sights and Play Baseball, Portenos style.

The trip is far more economical than any travel agent could or would do.  This is a rare opportunity that we have the Argentina Amateur Baseball Association sponsor our games and give us use of their fields and ballparks.  No regular travel agency could put together a trip like this.  Argentina is a fairly reasonable cost city but we'll be going at a reasonable cost that includes first class treatment in every step of the way.   The trip will include all lodging, ground transportation, all baseball, all tours, lots of sightseeing, shopping sprees, full time guide and several meals.

Most every day we'll tour a different area, see the local attractions, engage in local activities and play a local baseball team.  Some evenings will have group outings or dinners.  Occasionally there may be joint meals with the local  teams that will allow the Argentinean and USA players to get together, exchange ideas and make new friends.  You'll find baseball enthusiasts of a variety of age groups and levels as many of their players are Argentinaian-American players.  They are eager to meet and play ball with you.  Colorful La Boca

Trip is open to any adult person who plays baseball.  The average age of our teams is usually in the mid 40's to 50's.  The trip will be scheduled for late March of 2012 as the weather will be more pleasant and it is the beginning of their baseball season.   Players, family members and tourists are all welcome and encouraged to attend.  We'll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 14 players but we will need at least 15 people for the trip. We will need 3-4 good pitchers, a couple of catchers and some good position players.  Come as a team or come as a pool player and join the team. Don't be just a tourist, be an International Baseball Ambassador, get to know the people not just the postcards.  Be one of the privileged few to experience this new and exciting adventure.

Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in the world, a megalopolis with over twelve million inhabitants in both the city and its surroundings. It has its own personality, open to the world's architecture, culture and art. Cosmopolitan and contradictory, dynamic and traditional, historical and avant-garde, it has managed to preserve old traditions and loving corners.

Buenos Aires Skyline from the Harbor

Baseball
Baseball has only been played for several years in Argentina.  Since it's inception, the Argentinean Amateur Baseball Association has formed leagues, has about 20 men's amateur teams, ballparks and practice fields.  Most our games will be played in the national stadium in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.  We'll be hosted by the Argentina Amateur Baseball Association who will provide the teams, fields, umpires etc.  Our team will be made up of US players from various leagues and organizations.  The average age of our teams is usually in the mid-40's-50's.  We generally have players in their 20's through the 60's.  We'll be playing at least 5 games against local Argentina teams.

Food Breakfasts will be included with the rooms at the hotel.  Some lunches and dinners will be provided by the tour agency and some will be at your own expense.  At least 1 welcoming dinner and 1 final dinner banquet is included.  There may also be some dinner get together with the local teams.  Restaurants are in our hotels and others within easy walking distance.  Being below the Tropic of Cancer and in the land of beef,  Argentinean food is beef oriented.  It's also a port city so seafood dishes of all sorts are available just about everywhere.   BA is very European and there are also lots of pasta dishes available plus a variety of vegetables.  Breakfasts can vary from fruits, bread & salami to full American style, depends on the hotel.  Our hotel offers a full American style breakfast buffet.

Entertainment Buenos Aires is a huge city with plenty of things to do and see.  Before we depart, we'll plan some evening activities or cultural events to attend while there.  There are plenty of restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs and other activities to keep you busy each day, BA rocks!. Buenos Aires is one of the most European cities outside of Europe.  Besides the modern facilities it also has great historic districts.

Sightseeing After our first day of arrival, most days will include extensive sight seeing and local activities.  We'll visit some of the most attractive and interesting places of this dynamic city.  Some of these will include the  On one day off we'll take a full day excursion to the village of Sacramento de We'll take a trip to  Uruguay one day to .  Another other days, we'll visit some of modern Buenos Aires that will include the Casa Rosada, Palace of Congress, Teatro Colon, Recoleta, Avenida Nueve de Julio, Evita sites, La Boca, San Telmo, and Palermo. We'll have shopping sprees at the Galeria Pacifico and Calle Florida.  Besides these tourist sites, we'll also spend a Day as a Gaucho and a local estancia (ranch), we'll have Polo Lessons and play a match and one evening we'll have a Tango Dinner Show with lessons.  Tango is everywhere in BA.  There will also be at least a half day on your own for your personalized sightseeing and shopping.  All in all, between the baseball, tours, and activities this will be a very busy schedule that will give you a great experience in Argentina.

Accommodations When you travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place to stay.  We'll be staying in botique hotel called Hotel Reino Del Plata.  All rooms will have private baths, A/C, fully soundproof, TV, direct dial phone.  There is also high speed internet access, pay per view movies, hair dryers, safes, mini bars, safes, mini bar and more.  They have bars, restaurants, coffee shops and laundry facilities.  There are many shops, bars, clubs, and outdoor restaurants.  All are within easy walking distance from the hotel. Activities Argentine Polo is considered the best in the world, having uninterruptedly won every World Championship since 1949. The original form of the sport was spread by the old English ranchers and rapidly adopted by the Argentine gauchos, who prior to this, played "Pato", a game which they had been playing competitively since 1610. Pato was played on horseback and led them to develop strong hand-eye coordination and agile riding skills, helping them to quickly adapt to the game of polo.

Requirements
This trip is for amateur baseball players.  Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may are are encouraged to attend.  We need at least 15 people for this trip.  You will need a valid passport and a visa will be issued in Argentina.

Outline of Schedule for 9-day tour, 8 nights
 

Day 1  Wednesday April 11	Depart US
Day 2  Thursday April 12	Arrival at Aeroporto Buenos Aries Ezeiza International Airport-EZE Transfer on your own to Hotel for decompression. Afternoon on your own in the Evening Welcome Dinner with team members.
Day 3  Friday April 13	Breakfast at the Hotel Morning tour of BA Lunch at local restaurant Afternoon tours of BA Transfer to ballpark for Game #1 Dinner/bbq w/local team
Day 4  Saturday April 14	Breakfast at the Hotel Transfer to ballpark for Game #2 Lunch at local restaurant Afternoon tours of BA Tango Dinner & Show
Day 5  Sunday April 15	Breakfast at the Hotel Transfer to ballpark for Game #3 Lunch w/local team Afternoon on your own Dinner on our own
Day 6  Monday April 16	Breakfast at the Hotel Day trip Uruguay and Colonia del Sacramento or to Tigre Lunch at local restaurant on your own Return to BA Dinner on our own
Day 7  Tuesday April 17	Breakfast at the Hotel Morning on our own Lunch on your own Elite Polo Lessons & Match Transfer to ballpark for Game #4 Dinner on our own
Day 8  Wednesday April 18	Breakfast at the Hotel Gaucho for a Day BBQ Lunch at estancia Transfer to ballpark for Game #5 Dinner banquet with team at local restaurant
Day 9 Thursday April 19	Breakfast at the Hotel Morning Shopping Tours in BA Lunch on your own Afternoon Shopping Tours in BA Transfer to ballpark for Game #6 Farewell Dinner Banquet
Day 10 Friday April 20	Breakfast at the Hotel Morning on your own Lunch on your own Afternoon on your own Dinner on your own Transfer to airport for departure back to US

Buenos Aires at Night

Great Foods

Galeria Pacifico

Evita Peron

Vast Planes and Ranches (Estancias)

Dates
April 12 to April 20, 2012, note these are preliminary dates.  You will need to make your flight from the US to BA to depart by April 11th so you will arrive on April 12th.  Most the flights from the US are over night flights.

Total Cost
We need at least 15 participants for this trip to happen, plus any number non players.  The cost per person will be $2350 each.   These costs are based on staying at 4 star hotels in double occupancy with current money exchange rates.  If you want a room to yourself, add $575.

Airfare to and from So. American is not included.  Current prices from San Francisco are about $1100.  From New York about $1000.

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If you would like more information on playing in Argentina send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com

Included is:  Transfer to Airport for departure to USA Hotel accommodation for 8 nights. All local transport to scheduled events  Admission to scheduled tourist attractions and activities. Day trip to Uruguay or Tigre River Area Tango Dinner Show (lessons optional) Visit to Gaucho Estancia Polo Lessons & Match All Breakfasts at Hotel  4 Lunches & 4 Dinners  All baseball costs (umpires, fields, etc.).  Translator/Guide at scheduled events And more

Not included is: Transfer from Airport to hotel upon arrival Air fare or other transport costs to and from Buenos Aires  Non-scheduled trips (taxis, buses, trains etc.).  Some Lunches and most dinners Each player to bring their own playing gear and uniform. Visa, international travel, import or other similar costs Each player to bring 6 leather baseballs $140 reciprocity fee due upon arrival in Buenos Aires Non-scheduled transportation, accommodations, meals and activities.

Contact
Dennis McCroskey, Baseball Adventures
P.O. Box 707
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-4478
707-937-2349 fax
email: Dennis@DennisMc.com

Sign Up
To sign up for this trip you need to fill out the application form and send a $500 deposit.  The balance of funds will be due by February 1, 2012.  If for some reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits will be returned in full.

Roster
We needed a minimum of 14 players and a minimum of 15 total participants including non-players  If it says maybe, these are people who are considering going on the trip.

Roster  of Interested Participants Player  Status  Positions Status Dennis McCroskey John Stalberg Del Phillips Paul Raymond Mark Foerster Sid Rosenblatt Tim Urban Steve Wolf Russ Ward Damian Perkins Andy Badolato Blair Bessette Mike Bessette Harry Horowitz Steve Zolotos Rod Friese Robert Crosby ---------------------------- 10 Full Time Players 1 Full time Coach 6 Maybe Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Maybe Maybe Maybe Maybe Maybe Maybe ---------- P,IF Coach OF,1B,P Coach/IF IF,P IF,OF 1B,OF OF IF,OF,P OF,C P,1B IF IF OF,C Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Support Staff & Non-Players  Status Positions Michael Badolato LB Moon Support